ADAM Purcell, from Macclesfield, will pick up one of youth sailing’s most prestigious awards - the Royal Yachting Association’s North West Region Young Sailor of the Year Award 2009.

The much-sought after RYA prize recognises his sailing achievements throughout the year.

Fourteen-year-old Adam learned to windsurf at Team Astbury, an RYA Team 15 Windsurfing Club. He was soon regularly competing in Inter-Club events.

And Adam made a major contribution to the strength of Team Astbury, who became National Champions in 2007. He was selected to join the RYA NW Windsurfing Zone Squad in 2006, aged 12.

In 2007 he started competing nationally in the one-design 6.8m Techno fleet.

And by 2008 his hard work was paying off and he was placed third in his fleet in the UKWA National Series of events. Adam then joined the RYA BIC Techno National Junior Squad, so committing him to more training opportunities and even more events, across the length and breadth of the country.

In 2009, Adam attended National Events in Weymouth, Bridlington, Rutland, Christchurch, Derwentwater and Mumbles and remarkably has finished 2nd in his class in every event bar one.

And as a member of the British squad at the European Championships in France, Adam finished 10th. He did however save the best of 2009 until last – by winning a bronze medal at the Techno World Championships in Weymouth in August of this year. He was sailing in a quality fleet of 66 boards.

On Saturday 9th January at the Tullet Prebon 2010 London International Boat Show, Adam will join 12 other RYA Regional Award winners from all over the UK for the eagerly anticipated awards ceremony at which they will receive their trophy.

Rod Carr, OBE, Chief Executive, RYA says: "Winning an RYA Regional Young Sailor of the Year Award is a fantastic achievement. Sailing and Powerboating are great sports for young people which are both mentally and physically challenging. The Young Sailor of the Year award highlights just how many youngsters are out enjoying the sport and achieving great things, and I am delighted that this is recognised through the award."